DBM releases P1.4 billion to extend free EDSA Busway rides until Dec. 31

Free rides on the EDSA Busway will be available until the end of 2022 thanks to a 1.4 billion peso grant from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

The DBM stated on Tuesday that the additional financing needs for the extended implementation of service contracting of public utility vehicles along the EDSA Carousel Route will be covered by the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) and Notice of Cash Allocation (NCA) for the amount released on August 9.

Budget Sec. Amenah Pangandaman acknowledged that “The Libreng Sakay is of much help to commuters’ pockets, especially for students and those part of the labor force. “This will support up to 50 million ridership from September 1 until December 31.”

She added that the fund will benefit 628 units of public utility buses and also aid EDSA Busway drivers dealing with high fuel prices while reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the transport sector,

Meanwhile, the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) said Tuesday that the free train rides for students on the Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT2) are anticipated to benefit more than two million students.

The LRTA has also released an infographic guide on how students can avail of the free ride program on LRT-2